To support a global day of action in solidarity with Australia’s First Nations’ communities, Green MPs will be speaking at community protests in Wellington, Auckland and Dunedin today.

The Australian Government is making preparations to close more than 280 First Nations communities that they don’t consider “viable”.

Last year, the Federal government announced it would stop funding essential services in remote Australian communities. In WA alone the Premier Colin Barnett has said that means up to 150 indigenous communities will be closed.

Haydyn Bromley of the Aboriginal Lands Trust has said the closures would be a continuation of centuries of oppression of First Nations communities.

Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei has said today that the New Zealand Government should call on Tony Abbott to stop the forced closure of First Nations communities.

“As signatories to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Australia and New Zealand must uphold the rights of indigenous peoples including the right for the preservation of their culture and traditions.

“New Zealand should challenge abuses of indigenous rights internationally, especially when they are occurring in our own neighbourhood,” said Mrs Turei.